Douglas Allen leaves the Westchester County Courthouse after making an appearance for running an alleged sex tourism business on June 28, 2012. ( Ricky Flores / The Journal News )

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A 70-year-old Poughkeepsie man accused of running sex tours to Southeast Asia was sentenced to five years probation Tuesday, despite calling the jury that convicted him "12 ignoramuses" and openly scoffing at Westchester County Judge Barbara Zambelli.

Zambelli said she had to "take a step back" in sentencing the "obnoxious" Douglas Allen, who had faced up to 2 1/3 to 7 years in state prison. Allen's own lawyer, William Ross, said that his client had a "bigger bark than bite." Ross said later that he planned an appeal.

Prosecutors had asked for prison time for Allen, but despite her feelings ...